Pearl and Jodie are sisters. Pearl is younger, small and shy and anxious. Jodie is nearly three years older, bold and brash and bad and Pearl adores her.
When their parents get new jobs at the posh Melchester College, the girls are suddenly thrust into a new life. In their new home things seem different. Jodie has always been the leader but now it's Pearl who's making new friends. Jodie doesn't fit in with the snooty teenagers in her class and just seems to be getting into more and more trouble..

Maybe Pearl doesn't need Jodie as much as she used to. But jodie needs her. And when the school Fireworks night comes around and a tragic event occurs, Pearl realizes quite how much she does need her big siter...